NCHU Horticultural Therapy Market Celebrates Third Anniversary, Bridging Horticulture and Community Health Care
2025-08-04
興新聞張貼者
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The Horticultural Therapy Market, supported by National Chung Hsing University's (NCHU) “Co-Learning of Horticultural Therapy at Shuiwei Community” under the University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative, celebrated its third anniversary on August 2. This year’s event centered on two themes: “Balcony Plants: Gardening in Small Spaces” and “Indoor Plants and Negative Ions.” The program featured practical horticultural tips, hands-on silkscreen workshops, themed lectures, and a therapy-oriented marketplace, drawing enthusiastic participation from the public and offering a chance to experience the healing power of plants and their nourishing effects on both body and mind.
Professor Chen-Fa Wu from NCHU’s Department of Horticulture and project leader, noted that in response to the growing needs of an aging society, the university established a Horticultural Therapy Park in 2022. The park is home to more than a hundred plant species and offers visitors a multi-sensory experience beneath its lush tree canopy. Regular activities such as horticultural therapy markets, design competitions, and academic seminars are held to foster collaboration among academia, government, industry, and public welfare organizations.
The NCHU USR Horticultural Therapy Program focuses on four key areas: integrating horticulture with evidence-based medicine, cultivating professional talent, designing therapeutic spaces, and building community-centered healthcare models. Over the past three years, the team has partnered with Asia University Hospital and Changhua Christian Hospital to conduct evidence-based studies on horticultural therapy interventions for conditions such as sarcopenia, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, menopause-related issues, elderly women in rural areas, and individuals with work-related stress.
Beyond research, the program is also committed to talent development. It has organized a range of training courses, including dementia care assistants, senior wellness program volunteers, horticultural therapy volunteers, seed teacher workshops, and introductory classes in horticultural therapy. More than 100 participants have been trained over the past three years. The program applies research outcomes directly to community settings, integrating traditional practices like local vegetable gardens to establish sustainable and localized therapeutic environments. Horticultural therapy not only improves the living environment but also emphasizes reconnection between the elderly, the land, and cultural heritage.
Two featured horticultural talks were held during the event. In the morning session, Adjunct Assistant Professor Chi-Hao Chang from Tunghai University introduced five essential balcony plants, recommending drought-tolerant and wind-resistant species such as Desert Rose, Leucophyllum frutescens, Melaleuca alternifolia, Beaucarnea recurvata, and Asparagus aethiopicus. In the afternoon, Professor Chen-Fa Wu from NCHU discussed the role of indoor plants in generating negative ions through photosynthesis, which can help purify air and improve indoor environments. He emphasized that selecting the right plants and placing them in well-lit and ventilated areas can significantly enhance air quality and overall well-being.
Professor Chen-Fa Wu from NCHU’s Department of Horticulture and project leader, noted that in response to the growing needs of an aging society, the university established a Horticultural Therapy Park in 2022. The park is home to more than a hundred plant species and offers visitors a multi-sensory experience beneath its lush tree canopy. Regular activities such as horticultural therapy markets, design competitions, and academic seminars are held to foster collaboration among academia, government, industry, and public welfare organizations.
The NCHU USR Horticultural Therapy Program focuses on four key areas: integrating horticulture with evidence-based medicine, cultivating professional talent, designing therapeutic spaces, and building community-centered healthcare models. Over the past three years, the team has partnered with Asia University Hospital and Changhua Christian Hospital to conduct evidence-based studies on horticultural therapy interventions for conditions such as sarcopenia, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, menopause-related issues, elderly women in rural areas, and individuals with work-related stress.
Beyond research, the program is also committed to talent development. It has organized a range of training courses, including dementia care assistants, senior wellness program volunteers, horticultural therapy volunteers, seed teacher workshops, and introductory classes in horticultural therapy. More than 100 participants have been trained over the past three years. The program applies research outcomes directly to community settings, integrating traditional practices like local vegetable gardens to establish sustainable and localized therapeutic environments. Horticultural therapy not only improves the living environment but also emphasizes reconnection between the elderly, the land, and cultural heritage.
Two featured horticultural talks were held during the event. In the morning session, Adjunct Assistant Professor Chi-Hao Chang from Tunghai University introduced five essential balcony plants, recommending drought-tolerant and wind-resistant species such as Desert Rose, Leucophyllum frutescens, Melaleuca alternifolia, Beaucarnea recurvata, and Asparagus aethiopicus. In the afternoon, Professor Chen-Fa Wu from NCHU discussed the role of indoor plants in generating negative ions through photosynthesis, which can help purify air and improve indoor environments. He emphasized that selecting the right plants and placing them in well-lit and ventilated areas can significantly enhance air quality and overall well-being.
NCHU Horticultural Therapy Market Celebrates Third Anniversary, Bridging Horticulture and Community Health Care
NCHU Horticultural Therapy Market Celebrates Third Anniversary, Bridging Horticulture and Community Health Care
